Attention attracting device



H. J. HETRICK 2,012,390

ATTENTION ATTRACTING DEVICE Aug. 27, 1935.

F'iled Oct. 3l, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet l am@ @U5 INVENTOR Homer 3. Herrck BY Z4 ATTORNEYS Aug. 27, 1935. H. J. HETRICK 2,012,390

ATTENTION ATTRACTING DEVICE Filed oct. 51, 1955 5 sheets-sheet 2 mlm r unrqlllllll. f', 'ff-f" -k INVENTOR Homer Herck i? 946W `ATTO RNEY Aug. 27, 1935.. H. 1 HETRICK 2,012,39@

ATTENTION ATTRACTING DEVICE 56 Homer 5. Hetrck [IWW-w A ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 27, 1935 i iT ED STAT ES onset rarest OFFICE 16 Claims.

This invention relates to advertising display or attention attracting devices `for washing or like machines, l

The general purpose of the invention isto provide an attachment for washing or like machines including means adapted to be secured to the agitator of said machines and extending upwardly therefrom so as to be visible at distances from the machine and adapted to be reciprocated or oscillated or otherwise moved by operation of the agitator in the machine to attract the attention of passers-by, as `for example in a store, or on the pavements outside the window of a store, in whichr the Washing machinewith the improved attachment is on display.

A further purpose of the invention is to provide a display or attention attracting device of this sort including electrically operable means carried on said attachment, for example, an electric lamp, and means for supplying electricity to said electrically operable means while the same is being oscillated, reciprocated or otherwise being moved by the agitator of the `washing or like machine.

The foregoing and other purposesI of the invention are attained in the attachments illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular forms thereof shown and described. f

Of the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is an elevation partly broken away of a Washing machine of that type having a horizontally oscillating agitator showing display or attention attracting device embodying the invention attached thereto in operative position;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional part plan on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a part elevation partly broken away and partly in section of a Washing machine of that type employing a vertically reciprocable agitator having a display orlike device attached thereto in accordance with the invention;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional elevation on line 5 5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an enlarged section on line 6 6 of Figure 5, and

Figure 7 is an enlarged section on line 'I-I of Figure 5.

Referring rst to Figures lito 3 of the drawings, the numeral I@ designates the usual clothes receptacle or tub of a known type of washing machine in which is arranged a horizontally oscillatable agitator II operable in any suitable or (Cl. lJill-28) known manner as by means of an electric motor and asuitable transmission (not shown).

The improved attachment comprises a standard I2 formed with a collar I3 at its lower end adapted toA t over the top portion of agitator I l and which may be secured thereto and centered thereon in. any suitable way as by means of .set screws I4, I4. The standard I2 may carry in va position above the* top of the receptacle. or tub I3, any desired form of advertising or attention attracting device which, willbe moved for the purpose stated by the operation of the agitator.,

In accordance with the preferred adaptation of the invention, the Standardv I?. may carry at its top one or more electrically operable devices such as electric lamps I5, i5,v which may be arranged in a translucent or other suitable shade Iii carrying suitable advertising display legends, sym.- bols or devices for thefstated purpose.

`The standard I2 may be hollow as shown and leads Il, Il (Figure. 3) maybe extended down from the electrically operated devices or lamps I5, iii, respectively, tot contact rings4 I8, I8 mounted on blocks I9, I3 of` suitable insulatingmaterial tted in a circumferential groove 28a-bout the outer periphery of collar I3.

The contact rings` I8 are preferably concealed by a collar 2l surrounding, but preferably not contacting with collar I3 and supported on a hollow arm 22 which may be mounted on the tank or receptacle I8 by means of a clamp 23 having spaced legs 23a, 23.b for engagingl over the upper edge and embracing the upper portion of the wall of tub Ill. A set screw 25 having a rubber or other soft non-marring foot 25.a may be thread- .ed through the outer leg 23D into engagement with a peripheral groove It)a adjacent the top of tub lil and set screws 2B and 2l with similar non-marring feet may be threaded respectively Vthrough the lower portions of the inner and outver legs 23a and 23b into contact with the wall of tub I0 to secure arm 22 rigidly to the tub lil with lits collar 2l substantially concentrically arranged about collar I3.

Collar 2lv has housed therein a block 28 ofinsulating material in which are mounted contact brushes yieldingly urged against rings I8 by springs 3i), 3D. Leads 3l,l 3I are connected to brushes 29 and extend outwardly through arm 22 to aY suitable electrical switch plug 32 in which maybe engaged a known type of Y-connecting electrical fitting 33 from which extends one "connector or leads cord 34 for the motor (not shown) of the washer and another connector or leads cord-3r5to asource of power. l

With the arrangement shown it will be apparent that when electricity is switched on at 32, the lamps l5 will be lighted and the motor (not shown) of the washer will be driven. If now the clutch (not shown) of the washer is engaged, the agitator il will be oscillated and with it the standard and illuminated display will oscillate serving to attract the attention of passers-by. Illumination of the display will be maintained regardless of the range of the oscillations or regardless of the particular angles dening the range thereof depending upon the point of engagement of the clutch because of the contact of brushes 29 with rings i8.

In Figures 4 to 'l a washer is shown which comprises a tub or receptacle Il@ in which are vertically reciprocable agitator cups t l ii secured on a vertically-reciprocated member i2 slidable in a hollow post 3 and operated by a suitable motor and transmission (not shown) Y in a known manner.v

. Astandard 5&3, similar to standard l2 of Figures l1 to 3, may be similarly secured to the reciprocable agitator 42 by a collar @fia formed on the lower end of the standard. A downward extension i5 from the standard @l and which may be integral therewith, carries leads it from the lamps or other electrical devices which are connected with brusheslii, l (see Figures i and 7) mounted in an insulating block i8 at the lower end of the extension, the brushes being yieldingly urged by springs 49, 59 into contact with conductor strips 50, 5e. Conductor strips 50i extend vertically of a blockk 5i of insulating material, which block is clamped onto post i3 by similar upper and lower clamps 52, 52. A lug 53 attached to the extension 'd5 engages in a vertical groove Sli in the block 5l (see Figures l and 6) whereby the agitator and the attached standard dil are caused to so reciprocate along a single vertical path as to maintain brushes il in contact with the conductor strips 5o at all times.

The conductor strips 59 have connected thereto leads in a conductor cord 55 which is extended through a hollow arm structure 5t to an electrical switch plug 5l similar to switch plug 32 and connected in a similar way to a source of electrical power and to the motor (not shown) of the washer. The arm structure 5 extends across the bottom of tub iii and then vertically upwardly along a wall thereof to clear the agitators :il and the arm structure may be clamped on the top edge Vof the washer by a suitable clamp 58.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figure 4, the switch 5l may be operated to start the `motor of the washer and to operate the lamps or .other electrical devices on the standard lili. When the agitator lil is vertically reciprocated (usually byrengaging a clutch, not shown) the standard 44 reciprocates with it and the brushes /li reciprocating on the conductor strips 5@ maintain the supply of electricity to the standard fi at all quired to prevent moisture from disturbing its normal operation.

What is claimed is:

1. An attachment for a washing machine including a tub and an agitator mounted to move: in the tub, said attachment comprising a standardi. having means thereon for attaching it to said agitator, said standard extending above said 'tub and adapted to carry advertising display or attention attracting devices thereon above the tcp ci the tub, an illuminating device carried by the standard, and means for conducting electricity to said device during movement of the agitator.

2. An attachment for a washing machine including a tub and an agitator mounted to move in the tub, said attachment comprising a standard having means thereon for attaching it to said agitator, said standard extending above said tub and adapted to carry advertising display or attention attracting devices thereon above the top of the tub, an illuminating device carried by the standard, means for conducting electricity to said device during movement of the agitator, said -means comprising a member having means associated therewith for securing said member in a l xed position on the tub, said member carrying brushes to which electrical leads are connected, and conductor elements associated with and moving with the standard upon movement of the agitator, said conductor elements being so arcluding a tub and an agitator therein mounted L to move to and fro in the tub, said attachment comprising a standard having means associated therewith for securing the attachment to the agitator, said standard extending above said tub and adapted to carry advertising or attention attracting devices thereon above the top of the tub, an illuminating device carried by the standard, and means for conducting electricity to said device during movement of the agitator.

4. An attachment for a washing machine including a tub and an agitator therein mounted to oscillate horizontally in the tub, said attachment comprising a standard having means associated therewith for securing the attachment to the agitator, said standard extending above said tub and adapted to carry advertising or attention attracting devices thereon above the top of the tub, an illuminating device carried by the standard, and means for conducting electricity to said device during movement Aof the agitator.

v 5. An attachment for a washing machine including a tub and an agitator therein mounted to reciprocate vertically in the tub, said attachment comprising a standard having means associated therewith for securing the attachment to the agitator, said standard extending above said tub and adapted to carry advertising or attention attracting devices thereon above the top of the tub, an electrically operable illuminating device carried by the standard, and means for conducting electricity to said device during movement or" the agitator.

6. An attachment for a washing machine including a tub and an agitator therein mounted to move to and fro in the tub, said attachment comprising a standard having means associated therewith for securing the attachment to the agitator, said standard extending above said tub andradapted to carry advertising or attention attracting devices thereon above the top-of the tub,

means for supporti-ng conductor elements on the an electrically operable illuminating device car- 'relatively` moving part-s and so arranged as to ried bythe standard, means for conducting electricity Jce-'said device during movement of the agitator, said' means comprising a member having means associated therewith for securing said member a fixed position on the tub, said'member carrying brushes to which electrical leads are connected, and conductor elements associated with and moving with thest-andard upon movement of theagitator, said conductor elements being so arranged on the standard? as to maintain Contact with 4said' brushes at all times during movement or" the agitator.

7. An attachment for a Washing machine including a tub and an agitator therein mounted to oscilla-te horizontally in the tub, said attachment comprising a standard having means associated therewith for securing the attachment to the agitator, said standard extending above said tub and adapted to carry advertising or attention attracting devices thereon above the top of the tub, an electrically operable illuminating device carried by the standard, means for conducting electricity to said device duringV movement of the agitator, said means comprising a member having means associated therewith for securing said member in a iixed position on the tub, said member carrying brushes to which electrical leads are connected, and conductor rings associated with and moving with the standard upon movement of the agitator, said conductor rings being soarranged on the standard as to maintain contact with said brushes at all times .during movement of the agitator.

8. An attachment for a washing machine including a tub and an agitator `therein mounted to reciprocate vertically in the tub, said attachment comprising a standard having means associated therewith for securing the attachment to the agitator, said standard extending above said tub and adapted to carry advertising or attention attracting devices thereon above the top of the tub, an electrically operable illuminating device carried by the standard, means for conducting electricity to said device during movement of the agitator, said means comprising -a member having means associated therewith for securing said member in a iii-:ed position on the tub, said member carrying conductor strips thereon, and brushes associated with and moving with the standard upon movement of the agitator, said conductor strips being so arranged on said secured members as to maintain contact with said brushes at all times during movement of the agitator.

9. An attachment for a Washing machine including a tub and a movable agitator therein, said attachment comprising a standard having means associated therewith, for securing said standard to said agitator so as to project above said tub and to be moved by the agitator, electrically illuminated means carried by the standard above the tub, and means for supplying eleotricity to said illuminating means during movement of the agitator.

10. An attachment for a washing machine including a tub and a movable agitator therein, said attachment comprising a standard having means associated therewith for securing said standard to said agitator so as to project above said tub and to be moved by the agitator, electrically illuminated means carried by the standard above the tub, means for supplying electricity to said illuminating means during movement of the agitator, said supplying means including means for supporting conducting brushes, and

Acori-tact at all times during movement of the standard.

l 1l.` An attachment for a washing including a tub and a movable agitator therein, said attachment vcomprising a standard having means associatedtherewith for securing said standard'to saidagit-ator so as to project abovesaid tub and to be moved by the agitator, lelectrically illuminated means carriedby the standard above the tub, means for supplying electricity to said illuminating means during movement of the agitator, said supplying means including means for supporting conducting brushes and means for supporting conductor elements on the relatively moving parts and so arranged as to contact at all times during movement of the standard, and means for concealing said conductor brushes and said conductor elements.

12. An attachment for washing machines including a tub open at its top and a movable agitator in the tub, said attachment comprising a supporting member having means associated therewith for attaching the member to said agitator, an electrically operable illuminating device carried by the supporting member above the top of the tub, means associated with the supporting member for conducting electricity to said device and including conductor elements movable with the standard, an arm having means associated therewith for securing the arm on a wall of the tub to extend into cooperative relation with said moving conductor elements, contact elements carried by said arm and cooperating with said conductor elements, yand means for conducting electricity to said Contact elements.

13. An attachment for washing machines including a tub open at its top and a horizontally oscillatable agitator in the tub, said attachment comprising a supporting member having means associated therewith for attaching the member to said agitator, an electrically operable illuminating device carried by the supporting member above the top of the tub, means associated with the supporting member for conducting electricity to said device and including conductor rings movable with the standard, an arm having means associated therewith for securing the arm on a wall of the tub to extend into cooperative relation with said moving conductor rings, Contact brushes carried by said arm and cooperating with said rings, and means for conducting electricity to said cont-act brushes.

14. An attachment for washing machines including a tub open at its top and a vertically reciprocable agitator in the tub, said attachment comprising a supporting member having means associated therewith for attaching the member to said agitator, an electrically operable illuminating device carried by the supporting member above the top of the tub, means associated with the supporting member for conducting electricity to said device and including conductor strips vertically arranged in association with an arm, said arm having means associated therewith for securing the arm on a wall of the tub, contact brushes carried by said standard and cooperating with said strips, and means for conducting electricity to said strips.

15. An attachment for washing machines including a tub having an open top and an agitator movable therein, said attachment comprising a member having means associated therewith for securing the same to the agitator, said Vmember carrying an electrically operable illuminating device above the tub, and means for conductor elements associated with said member .to move therewith uponrmovement ofthe agitator, other conductor elements for engaging said elements and maintaining contact therewith as said elements move, an arm for supporting the second-named conductor elements in cooperative relation to the rst-named conductor elements, said arm carrying electrical leads to said conductor elements, and means for securing said arm on the Wall of said tub.

16. An attachment for a Washing machine including a tub and an agitator mounted to move inthe tub, said attachment comprising a standard having means thereon for attaching it to said agitator, said standard extending above said tub and adapted to carry advertising display or at tention attracting devices thereon above thev top of the tub, and an illuminating device carried lo by the standard.

HOMER J. HETRICK. 

